This lesson will show you how to download and install Thunderbird and then configure your Hover email using IMAP.

To download, install, and configure Thunderbird please complete the following steps:

1. Click here to visit the Thunderbird download website.  To start downloading the installation program, click on the Free Download link on the Thunderbird website.
   
   
2. Select the option to Run the Thunderbird setup program.  Alternatively, you could save the file to a directory on your computer's hard disk and then open the file manually to run the installation wizard.
   
   
3. Wait for the file download to complete.
   
   
4. Internet Explorer users may receive a security warning.  If you receive a warning like the example above, click on the Run option.
   
   
   
5. Windows may also give you a security warning.  Click on Run again.  Windows Vista users will also receive a User Account Control warning pop-up.  If you are asked "Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer," click on Yes.
   
   
   
6. The Mozilla Thunderbird Setup wizard will be launched.  Click Next to proceed,
    
   
7. Click Next to install the standard features and to set Thunderbird as your default mail application.  Advanced users can select the Custom option to choose individual options to be installed.
   
   
8. Click on Install to begin the Thunderbird installation.
   
   
9. Wait for the installation to be completed.
   
   
10. Click Finish to exit the setup wizard and launch Mozilla Thunderbird.
    
    
     
11. The program has been installed.  Next, your Hover email account needs to be configured.  Thunderbird will automatically present you with the Mail Account Setup window pictured above.  Type in your name as you wish it to appear on your sent email messages, your Hover email address, and your Hover password.  Click Continue.
    
    
12. Thunderbird will attempt to configure your email settings automatically.  As indicated by the amber lights, the automatic configuration failed.  Click on Edit.
    
    
    
13. As pictured below, enter the following settings:
    
    Username:  Enter your full Hover email address
    Incoming:  mail.hover.com
    Outgoing:  mail.hover.com
    
    Select IMAP after the Incoming mail server name.
    
    Incoming port number:  993
    Outgoing port number:  465
    
    Incoming security:  SSL/TLS
    Outgoing security:  SSL/TLS
    
    
    
    Once these settings have been entered, click on Re-test Configuration.
14. The green lights indicate that incoming and outgoing mail server tests completed successfully.  Click on the Create Account button to bring your account online in Thunderbird.
    
    
    
15. A System Integration window will prompt you to set Thunderbird as your default mail client.  Click OK.
    
    
    
16. Thunderbird will connect to the Hover email server and start downloading your email messages and folders.  To enable you to send email using Hover, a few additional changes are necessary.  Click on the Tools menu and select Account Settings.
    
    
    
17. Select the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option from the list on the left, and then click on the Edit button under Outgoing Server (SMTP) Settings.
    
    
18. Ensure that the following settings are entered:
    
    Port:  465
    Connection security:  SSL/TLS
    Authentication method:  Normal password
    User Name:  enter your full Hover email address (by default, Thunderbird will only show the part of your email address before the @ sign)
    
    
    
    Click OK to save these settings.
19. Click OK at the bottom of the Account Settings window. 
    
    
    
    Your Hover email account configuration has been completed!